Tractor ride to benefit Cures for the Colors
By Brandon Davis
Published in News on September 14, 2016 11:57 AM
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News-Argus/BRANDON DAVIS
M.F. McCullen Jr., owner of McCullen Farm, will lead the long line of tractors on a 15-mile trek through Wayne County and parts of Duplin County for the second annual Eastern Carolina Tractor Ride set for Saturday, Sept. 24. All of the proceeds from the event go to Cures for the Colors, an organization that provides financial assistance during treatment or recovery to any cancer patient in eastern North Carolina.
MOUNT OLIVE -- Hop on a big, green tractor -- or a blue one, or one of any color -- and take a slow ride for a great cause.
The second annual Eastern Carolina Tractor Ride takes off at the M F. McCullen Jr. Farm Saturday, Sept. 24, at 2616 N.C. 55 East between Mount Olive and Seven Springs.
All of the proceeds from the event will go to Cures for the Colors, an organization that provides cancer patients with financial assistance during treatment or recovery to any cancer patient in eastern North Carolina.
Drivers need to line up at 9 a.m., with their own green, blue, red or even yellow tractor, and have a trailer ready for passengers to head out at 10 a.m.
The entry fee is $50 per tractor, while riders pay $25 to cruise the 15-mile trek -- directed by local law enforcement and firefighters at intersections, along with signs throughout the trail -- around Wayne County and parts of Duplin County.
But everyone starts at M.F. McCullen Jr. Farm.
He took over the family farm in 1971 after the McCullens moved from Dobbersville to Seven Springs, but he had hoped to have a tractor ride in his backyard someday.
Faye McCullen -- his wife -- said no.
But when their youngest son, Chad McCullen, was diagnosed with colon cancer four years ago at age 39, the elder McCullen began thinking of a reason to host a tractor ride event.
He needed a strong argument.
His son visited several treatment facilities, but Southeastern Medical Oncology Center in Goldsboro, where Cures for the Colors was founded, gave his father an idea.
"Daddy decided that that would be a good excuse for him to have a tractor ride and a good cause," said Deanna McCullen, the event's organizer and the McCullens' daughter.
"So he started thinking about it and decided he wanted to have a tractor ride, and all of the money would go to Cures for the Colors," she said.
Her brother is now cancer free, but the tractor ride still cropped up last year for other cancer patients.
Local businesses and clubs joined to help the event kick off with 33 tractors and 300 people -- including 30 children. Ms. McCullen said the event raised $17,000 even though it rained all day.
"One woman rode on a trailer, with an umbrella," her mother said.
This year, however, might be sunny.
Those who don't own a tractor can walk through the four rustic, vintage sign-covered buildings, which line the McCullens' property near woods.
His family built the first building, but it now houses his 20-year-old miniature John Deere tractor collection. McCullen said children will enjoy staring at the green and yellow walls holding thousands of green and yellow tractors on shelves.
He renovated the second building from an old schoolhouse, which now holds seed and feed inside, but presents an antique Shell station sign outside.
A Phillips 66 sign grabs people's attention to lead them to the third building, where a 1920s refrigerator sits next to an antique Coca-Cola machine that holds bottles in cold water.
The final building is an old tobacco barn, but the outside shows off classic signs, covering every inch of the building.
After people explore the countryside and tour the antique-filled buildings, volunteers will serve lunch at 11:30 a.m., and an auction will follow lunch.
Everyone should arrive hungry.
The McCullens, along with volunteers, will prepare eight pigs and 10 turkeys to be barbecued.
Deanna McCullen said Sandpiper of LaGrange will provide coleslaw, while Tom Britt's Carolina Nut Cracker will donate potatoes, but she said there will be other food providers that day.
Ms. McCullen looks forward to the food, the tours and the tractor ride, but she also wants to see the event contribute to a great cause -- and she wants to do what she enjoys doing.
"I've just always enjoyed having events, running the show. I'm bossy," Ms. McCullen said, while her mother and father laughed in the background. "I just enjoy doing things like this. I've always been a part of different organizations in the past that have done different kinds of fundraising events and stuff, so it kind of just fell in place for me."
For more information, contact Ms. McCullen at www.easterncarolinatractorride.com, or call her at 919-658-4778.